Conflict Resolution in Traditional Africa Appraising the Ubuntu Approach
Keywords:
Ubuntu, conflict resolution, humanity, restorative justice, communalism, communal ethicsAbstract
This paper examines the Ubuntu as a conflict resolution mechanism in traditional African justice system that emphasises communal co-existence and restorative justice. It is a restorative process rooted in the African humanist philosophy of I am because we are. It emphasizes interconnectedness, humanity, and collective well-being, aiming to heal, restore broken relationships and reintegrate offenders into the community, rather than merely punishing them. Over time, Ubuntu has significantly shaped conflict resolution practices across traditional African societies. The TRC of South Africa remains one of the celebrated processes that utilized and enjoys the principles of Ubuntu. This paper aims to ascertain the efficacy of Ubuntu as a conflict resolution mechanism in traditional African justice system, highlighting its socio-cultural impacts, contemporary relevance and challenges. Adopting the method of analysis, the paper argues that the strength of Ubuntu as a traditional conflict resolution mechanism lies in its ability to harmonize individual grievances with collective well-being, thus ensuring social cohesion and restorative justice. However, it reveals that Ubuntu is fraught with systemic limitations such as gender exclusion, colonial influence and limited adaptability to modern legal systems. This paper concludes by advocating for a systemic hybrid model that integrates communal and restorative elements of the Ubuntu as a traditional justice system with the formal justice systems in order to effectively address modern day conflicts.
Downloads
References
Agetue K. N & Maduabuchi, R.O (2025). “The conflict resolution in the traditional African justice system: The gacaca a panacea to criminal justice system in Nigeria,” Essence Interdisciplinary-International Journal of Philosophy, 14(2), 48-77.
Bennett, T. W. (2011). Customary law in South Africa, (1st ed.). Juta & Company.
Bujo, B. (1998). The ethical dimension of community: The African model and the dialogue between North and South. Paulines Publications Africa.
Burnet, J. E. (2012). Genocide lives in us: Women, memory and silence in Rwanda. University of Wisconsin Press.
Busia, K. A. (1951). The position of the chief in the modern political system of Ashanti. Oxford University Press.
Chanock, M. (1985). Law, custom and social order: The colonial experience in Malawi and Zambia. Cambridge University Press.
Clark, P. (2010). The Gacaca courts, post-genocide justice and reconciliation in Rwanda. Cambridge University Press.
Clarke J, Halts S, Jefferson T, Roberts B. (1976). Subculture, cultures and class, Halls S,
Comaroff, J. & Comaroff, J. L. (2004).” Criminal justice, cultural justice: The limits of liberalism and the pragmatics of difference in the new South Africa”. American Ethnologist, 31(2), 188-204.
Ekpo, M. E. (2025). Governing Through Algorithms: Ethical and Legal Implications of Technological Governance. AMCU.
Ekpo, M., & Alobo, E. Nigerian Companies and the Prohibition on Political Donations: A Paradigmatic Shift as a Panacea for Compliance. International Journal of Advanced Engineering, Management and Science, 4(12), 268277.
Ekpo, M., Alobo, E., & Enyia, J. (2018). Impediments to the Development of a Strong Consumer Credit System in Nigeria. World, 5(1).
Elamin, M, Elamin, I & Salisu, A. (2025). “African problem -African solution: An examination of the application of the Ubuntu conflict resolution systems to prevailing conflicts in Africa: A case study of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia's tension.” International Journal of Religion, Vol. 6, 638-651.
Himonga, C., & Bosch, C. (2000). “The application of African customary law under the Constitution of South Africa”. South African Law Journal, 117(2), 306-326.
Himonga, C., & Diallo, F. (2017). Decolonising African jurisprudence: Ubuntu and the law. Oxford University Press.
Hogan M.O. (2006). Academic dictionary of sociology. EFP Book Series
Ironbar, V. E., Ekwok, L. N., Ekpo, M. E., Ekpang, J. E., Ogri, E. U., Oko, B. A., ... & Achu, R. A. (2025). Utilization of Digital Resources for Learning by Students with Intellectual Disabilities in Southern Nigeria. Journal of Intellectual Disability-Diagnosis and Treatment, 13(2), 237-253.
Jefferson T, (eds), Hutchinson. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. (1996). Act 108 of 1996.
Kariuki, F. (2015). “Conflict resolution by elders in Africa: Successes, challenges and opportunities,” Alternative Dispute Resolution: Journal of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Vol 3 (2), 1-21.
Kenyatta, J. (1965). Facing mount Kenya: The tribal life of the Gikuyu. Vintage Books.
Lawal, R., Orunbon, N., Ibikunle, G & Faduyile, G. (2020). “Resolving conflict in African traditional society: An imperative of indigenous African system”. African Journal of History and Archaeology (AJHA), 4(1), 40-50.
Mamdani, M. (1996). Citizen and subject: Contemporary Africa and the legacy of late colonialism. Princeton University Press.
Marfo, C. (2015). Language, culture and conflict resolution in Ghanaian communities, (1st ed.). Sub-Saharan Publishers.
Mbiti, J. S. (1969). African religions and philosophy, (1st ed.). Heinemann.
Modiri, J. (2012). “The colour of law, power and knowledge”. South African Journal on Human Rights, 28(3), 403-433.
Murithi, T. (2009). “An African perspective on peace education: Ubuntu lessons in reconciliation.” International Review of Education, Vol. 55, 221-233.
Murithi, T. (2006). “Practical peacemaking wisdom from Africa: Reflections on Ubuntu”. The Journal of Pan African Studies, 1(4), 25-34.
Nabiebu, M., & Ekpo, M. E. (2025). From Litigation to Arbitration? An Empirical Analysis of Dispute Resolution Trends in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Sector Post-Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. Alkebulan: A Journal of West and East African Studies, 5(2), 109-118.
Nabiebu, M., & Ekpo, M. E. (2025). The Legal And Regulatory Imperative For A Shared Telecommunications And Power Infrastructure Model In Nigeria’s Oil And Gas Sector. Journal of Rare Ideas, 4(1), 1-11.
Noyonika, S. (2024). “Understanding and applying Ubuntu thought process”. Retrieved from https://meda.foundation/understanding-and-applying-ubuntu-thought-process/#:~:text=Another%20significant%20aspect%20of%20Ubuntu,strengthens%20rather%20than%20divides%20communities.
Ntlama, N. (2019). “Customary law and the promotion of gender equality in South Africa: Revisiting the framework of regulation”. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 22(1), 1-25.
Ntsebeza, L. (2006). Democracy compromised: Chiefs and the politics of the land in South Africa (1st ed.). Brill.
Nussbaum, B. (2019). “Ubuntu and the law”. African Human Rights Law Journal, 19(1), 45-62.
Nwolise, O. B. C. (2005). “Traditional modes of bargaining and conflict resolution in Africa”. In Olawale, I.A, (Ed.), Perspectives on Peace and Conflict Studies in Africa. John Archers Publishers Ltd, 152-168.
Nyeck, S. N. (2018). “Gender and Ubuntu in Botswana”. Journal of Southern African Studies, 44(6), 1125-1140.
Ohaja M, Anyim C. (2012). “Rituals and embodied cultural practices at the beginning of life”. African Perspectives Religion, Vol. 12, 10-24.
Okoth-Ogendo, H. W. O. (2002). “The tragic African commons: A century of exploration, suppression and submersion”. University of Nairobi Law Journal, 1(1), 107-117.
Owusu, K. (2021). “Digitalizing tradition: Ghana’s Akanfo app and transnational conflict resolution”. African Journal of ICT Policy, 8(1), 45-60.
Pelikan, C. (2020). “Victim-offender mediation in Europe”. European Journal of Criminology, 17(6), 718-737.
Platzky, L., & Walker, C. (1985). The surplus people: Forced removals in South Africa, (1st ed.). Ravan Press.
Ramose, M. B. (1999). African philosophy through Ubuntu. Mond Books.
Sachs, A. (2009). The strange alchemy of life and law. Oxford University Press.
Schapera, I. (1955). A handbook of Tswana law and custom. Oxford University Press.
Tutu, D. (1999). No future without forgiveness. Image.
Uwazie, E. E. (1994). Conflict resolution in Africa: The case of the Fulani, (1st ed.). University Press of America.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Advances in Law, Pedagogy, and Multidisciplinary Humanities
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
